Tag: Lambretta

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Scooterboys 1980’s The lost tribe of British youth culture

THESE fascinating pictures show a little-known youth tribe called Scooterboys, who roamed the country during the 80s and 90s.

The group was dubbed as “the lost tribe of British youth culture”, however tens of thousands of scooter riders insist they collectively rejected that label.

Scarborough sea-front in 1983 during the period when Scooterboy overtook Mod in numbers
Scarborough sea-front in 1983 during the period when Scooterboy overtook Mod in numbersCredit: John Stevens / Carpet Bombing Culture
The classic ‘80s Scooterboy look was an MA1 flight jacket covered in rally patches
The classic ‘80s Scooterboy look was an MA1 flight jacket covered in rally patchesCredit: Greg Hollingdale-Cooper / Carpet Bombing Culture

Interesting pictures reveal the freedom Scooterboys had 30 to 40 years ago, showing rallies taking place in Hampshire and Dorset.

The photographs are featured in Scooterboys: The Lost Tribe book, created by Martin “Sticky” Round.

The book paints a picture of what the youth tribe experienced in their customised Vespa and Lambretta scooters as they set off on adventures each weekend.

The book mentions the shared experiences of riots, local hostility and police harassment, which built strong fraternal bonds that lasted a lifetime.

Scooterboys were members of a 1960s mod subculture, who rode motor scooters and wore anoraks, wide jeans, and boots.

One recent photograph shows crowds of scooterists in the Isle of Wight, while another takes you back to  the 1970s and shows how the youth tribe compared to today.

Riders boarding the ferry after the riot at Isle of Wight 1986
Riders boarding the ferry after the riot at Isle of Wight 1986Credit: Piggsy / Carpet Bombing Culture
Isle of Wight pictured in 1984 - probably Britain's biggest ever rally
Isle of Wight pictured in 1984 – probably Britain’s biggest ever rally
Scooterboys chilling at Margate National Rally in 1990
Scooterboys chilling at Margate National Rally in 1990Credit: Dave Chapman / Carpet Bombing Culture
Scooters and Soul music have lived a conjoined existence since the 1960s, but intricately airbrushed photo-realistic murals are typically Scooterboy
Scooters and Soul music have lived a conjoined existence since the 1960s, but intricately airbrushed photo-realistic murals are typically ScooterboyCredit: Carpet Bombing Culture
Before political correctness it was acceptable to ride a paint splattered chop called 'Time of the Month'
Before political correctness it was acceptable to ride a paint splattered chop called ‘Time of the Month’Credit: Nick Purser / Carpet Bombing Culture
A Scottish scooterist guards his club’s matching airbrushed crash helmets
The Great Skinhead Reunion Brighton June 5-6-7 2020
The Great Skinhead Reunion Brighton June 5-6-7 2020. Hit the picture for tickets

20A Scottish scooterist guards his club’s matching airbrushed crash helmetsCredit: Carpet Bombing Culture

Scooterboys loved highly tuned street-race scooters such as these DTC-painted Lambretta GPs
Scooterboys loved highly tuned street-race scooters such as these DTC-painted Lambretta GPsCredit: Sticky / Carpet Bombing Culture
After the 60s Mods came Skinheads, Suedeheads and Smoothies. In the early 70s the customising fashion was the accessorised Lambretta ‘skelly’
After the 60s Mods came Skinheads, Suedeheads and Smoothies. In the early 70s the customising fashion was the accessorised Lambretta ‘skelly’Credit: Sticky / Carpet Bombing Culture
Steve Maw’s Lambretta chopper ‘Illusion’ at Great Yarmouth in 1985
Steve Maw’s Lambretta chopper ‘Illusion’ at Great Yarmouth in 1985Credit: Stuart Lanning / Carpet Bombing Culture
Scooterists from Hampshire and Dorset explore Girvan in Scotland
Scooterists from Hampshire and Dorset explore Girvan in ScotlandCredit: Nick Purser / Carpet Bombing Culture
Vespa cutdown ‘Little Rascal’ pictured at Morecambe
Vespa cutdown ‘Little Rascal’ pictured at MorecambeCredit: Piggsy / Carpet Bombing Culture
Scooterists at the end of the Isle of Wight ride-out in 2012 respond to DJ Tony Class
Scooterists at the end of the Isle of Wight ride-out in 2012 respond to DJ Tony ClassCredit: Sticky / Carpet Bombing Culture
Classic early-80s Scooterboy style in Brighton
Classic early-80s Scooterboy style in BrightonCredit: Mike Lovell / Carpet Bombing Culture

Symond And Nev Wycombe Skinheads 1981. Photo Credit Gavin Watson
When Scooterboys built radical projects it often meant use of an angle grinder and welder
When Scooterboys built radical projects it often meant use of an angle grinder and welderCredit: Carpet Bombing Culture
Custom Lambretta named after the Jam record as Funeral Pyre
Custom Lambretta named after the Jam record as Funeral PyreCredit: Nick Purser / Carpet Bombing Culture
Getting stopped by the police was an occupational hazzard
Getting stopped by the police was an occupational hazzardCredit: John Stevenson / Carpet Bombing Culture
The Alcoholic Rats all-girl scooter club at Great Yarmouth
The Alcoholic Rats all-girl scooter club at Great YarmouthCredit: Jo Jackson / Carpet Bombing Culture
The book's cover, depicting a police check of riders attending Redcar National rally in 1985
The book’s cover, depicting a police check of riders attending Redcar National rally in 1985Credit: Carpet Bombing CultureIf you have photos and stories to tell or want to add to this, we would love to hear from you and add them to the site. Please email subcultz@gmail.com